Manuel Sauceda Beltran, Sr.

Obituary for Manuel Sauceda Beltran, Sr. January 13, 1934 - January 24, 2020 It is with great sadness the family of Manuel Sauceda Beltran announces his passing on Friday, January 24, 2020 at the age of 86 years old. Manuel will be lovingly remembered by his extensive family both locally and in Mexico. He is survived by his wife of over 48 years, Esperanza, his oldest son Manuel, Jr. and daughter in law Isabel, as well as, his youngest son Alejandro and daughter in law Martha. He will be greatly missed by his four grandchildren, Laura, Joel, Christian and Katalina. Also, his sister Emerita and family members residing in Mexico and his many nephews and nieces. Manuel was predeceased by his parents, Ramon and Maria Ester Beltran and sisters, Raquel and Maria Luisa Beltran. Manuel was born on January 13, 1934 in the municipality of Encarnacion de Diaz, in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. At the young age of 13 years old, he followed his adventurous heart towards the United States. He secured employment with an uncle working as a cattle ranch hand, in Texas and New Mexico. Manuel also actively participated in the US Bracero guest worker program for several years and traveled throughout the country, working a variety of crops and thereby learning many agricultural related skills. He would quickly gain fame among his coworkers for his famous handmade flour tortillas, his friendly disposition and his entertaining storytelling. He spent many months working and traveling from one farm labor campsite to another, yet always took time to return to his hometown, known by its nickname "La Chona". On one of those visits, Manuel met his beautiful wife, Esperanza Garcia Medrano, in the nearby state of Aguascalientes, Mexico. They quickly fell in love, and after becoming a couple, they headed north to California. The young couple continued in agricultural labor and worked together in the farm fields of Modesto, Merced and Fresno before arriving in the city of Visalia in 1972. They established their home, both working and raising their two sons. Manuel became a farm labor foreman and worked as such for 35 years. He was well known and well respected among many recently immigrated men and their families. A father figure for many of the young men with whom he shared similar experiences. These same individuals invited him and his wife, Esperanza, to be "Padrinos" of their weddings, their children's baptisms and communions. Many of them maintained long standing friendships with them even after Manuel's retirement. After retirement, Manuel enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, tending to his yard, roses and fruit trees, running short errands, sitting with friends playing cards, whistling and singing his favorite songs, watching the evening boxing fights and helping Esperanza around in the kitchen. His greatest joys were taking care of his wife and spending time with his family. Memorial services honoring the life of Manuel Sauceda Beltran, Sr. will be held on Monday, February 3rd at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel from 4 � 7 pm. On Tuesday, January 4, at 10:00 am, a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Holy Family Catholic Church, in Visalia CA. Interment will follow at the Visalia Cemetery, as well as a reception at the Holy Family Catholic Church hall. The Beltran Family appreciates and thanks you for all of your love, prayers and condolences.